Hobbled Paul is forced to bench

The Clippers' Blake Griffin is fouled by the Thunder's Nick Collison during the first half of their game. ROSE PALMISANO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ANGELES – It was going to be a showdown between the top two teams in the Western Conference, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin vs. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

But J.J. Redick's knee put a stop that.

Paul and Redick banged knees when the Clippers lost to the Orlando Magic on Jan. 12, and despite returning for games against Washington and Golden State, Paul was forced to the sideline Tuesday because of a bone bruise on his right kneecap.

Paul limped through the Clippers' loss to the Warriors on Monday. After the game, with large ice bags strapped to both knees, Paul wondered if he was hurting the Clippers more than he was helping.

"He played (Monday), and it wasn't getting any better. He was just dragging it out. He was trying to fight through it," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Chris is a tough guy and wants to be out there. He's a competitor. But we have to look at the big picture. We have to protect Chris as well and give it some rest."

Eric Bledsoe started in Paul's place Tuesday, as he did in victories over Memphis, Houston and Minnesota last week.

Del Negro said there's no timetable for Paul's return, saying it could be a few days or it could be a week.

Paul has received an MRI that showed no ligament damage. Del Negro said Paul probably will receive an X-ray just to double-check things.

"Chris wanted to be out there (Tuesday) and play and never wants to come out because he's competitive," Del Negro said. "But we also have to protect him and look at the big picture.

"He's sore today so we have to be smart about it and let him get some rest."

CLIPPERS REUP AT STAPLES

The Clippers and AEG, the group that owns and operates Staples Center, announced the team has extended its lease for 10 years.

The Clippers will play at Staples Center until at least the 2023-24 season.

"We are very excited about our present and our future at Staples Center," Clippers President Andy Roeser said in a statement. "It is indeed an honor to benefit from the sustained stability that accompanies being part of the greatest venue in the NBA, and we are glad to provide this state-of-the-art backdrop to our deserving and loyal fan base."

NOTES

Chauncey Billups, who hasn't played since Dec. 3 because of peroneal tendinitis in his left foot, has begun taking some contact, and Del Negro said his workload will be expanded in the near future. There's still no timetable for Billups' return. ... Caron Butler felt the negative parts of the Clippers' depth Monday at Golden State. Butler scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists and had two steals without playing in the fourth quarter, as Del Negro went with Matt Barnes. "He was a big factor getting us the lead, and we weren't able to sustain it," Del Negro said. "I probably could've gotten him a few more minutes in the fourth. We talked about that, but it just didn't work."

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